Celeste Marie Conrad

Celeste Marie Conrad, 66 yrs. old, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024. She lost her battle with cancer in the home of her sister, surrounded with family in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Celeste was born in Las Cruces, N.M. to George and Juliana Conrad on April 12, 1958. She had 2 brothers: Eric and Karl and 1 sister: Laura. She attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School and Zia Middle School in Mesilla. She graduated from Iroquois High School in Elma, New York, She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Economics from Fordham University in Bronx, New York; a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Education from NMSU and a M.A. in History from UT, Austin. She studied one year in Salzburg, Austria and was awarded 2 research grants for 2 years of study in Mexico City. She was elected to Phi Betta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta.

Celeste studied both the piano and voice and was an avid fan of opera. She was also a devotee of the original Star Trek, and conspired with other Trekkies to fill her H.S. teacher's closet with homemade Tribbles. She was a gourmet cook and loved French cooking in particular but also New Mexican, Mexican and German cooking. She was a loving aunt and enjoyed following the growth of her grand nephew and niece. Her favorite pastimes were listening to her extensive music collection, reading her books, especially history books, and watching vintage movies and TV series.

Celeste held several jobs at NMSU including PSL, Placement and Career Services as well as UT, Austin. She taught history classes at 3 High Schools here in Las Cruces, most recently at Las Cruces Catholic School/St. Mary's High School. She loved her students and took great pleasure in seeing them graduate.

She was a devout member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church, often being a reader in the Mass. She was one of six researchers and writers of the book: The Heart of Las Cruces: History of St. Genevieve's Church published in 2014.

Celeste never married nor had any children. She is survived by her sister, Laura Myers (husband: Timothy Myers), of Rincon, Georgia; 3 nieces: Crystal Berger (husband: Gus Berger) and their 2 children: Logan and Sophia, all of Bremerton, Washington; Danielle Scott and Bianca Myers, both of Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents; George and Julie Conrad (2016 and 2018 respectively); both brothers: Eric (2004) and Karl (2016).

A Rosary is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at 9:30 am at St. Genevieve, 100 S. Espina St., Las Cruces, NM, with the Funeral Mass to follow at 10:00am.